Early in 2013, Congress passed legislation that renewed the Bush tax cuts for all households EXCEPT those making more than $450,000 a year, requiring the top 1 percent of Americans to pay an amount closer to their fair share of taxes. This was the first major new tax increase in a generation, and it was successful because of grassroots pressure from around the country. It will raise $620 billion over 10 years.

But much more is needed to make sure that the richest 2 percent — those households making above $250,000 a year — are contributing their fair share of taxes.